Taylor County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Taylor County bail and bond: the Butler jail and your options
Adults arrested in Taylor County are held at the Taylor County Jail in Butler, behind the Sheriff's Office. Use Taylor County Inmate Search to learn if the person is in custody and what bail was set. The jail line is 478-862-5444. Some charges need a judge before any release, so ask before you pay.
Is my daughter inside the Butler jail?
Look her up on Taylor County Inmate Search before you drive anywhere. If she is booked, it shows the charge and any bail that has been set. A booking from this morning may not be posted yet.
The jail line, 478-862-5444, is listed on the Sheriff's Office page for questions the search cannot answer.
What is the jail's phone and where is the sheriff's office?
The Sheriff's Office page lists the jail at 478-862-5444, the main office at 478-862-3336, and non-emergency dispatch at 478-862-5451. The office is at 5 North Ivy Street, Butler, GA 31006, the same address the state corrections agency lists for the jail.
The Taylor County Jail sits behind the sheriff's office.
Where do I take money to get someone out?
The county pages we read do not name a bond window or give its hours. Phone the jail at 478-862-5444 before you go and ask what it accepts and whether the desk is staffed overnight.
Bring a photo ID, and write down the name of the officer you speak with.
What ceiling does Georgia put on a bondsman's fee?
Georgia caps it at 15 percent of the bond's face value, per O.C.G.A. 17-6-30(a). A bondsman is still allowed a minimum of $50 for each charge covered.
For a $5,000 bond that ceiling is $750. Make sure the contract matches what you were told.
Do we have to pay all the bond up front?
Not if you use a licensed bondsman, who charges a fee instead. If you pay cash to the court, you give the full amount and may get it back after the case.
Georgia limits cash bonds to three a year for one person or group, with a family exception (O.C.G.A. 17-6-15).
How do I use a house or land for bond?
The sheriff of the county where the offense occurred must approve the property (O.C.G.A. 17-6-12 and 17-6-1(j)). In Taylor County, ask the Sheriff's Office at 478-862-3336 what it needs.
Expect to show a deed and a tax value, and every owner must sign. Ask the sheriff's office how much equity is required.
What is bail for common charges in Taylor County?
No Taylor County bond schedule is posted online, so this page gives no amounts. Numbers from another county would not be reliable here.
Your relative's amount is on Taylor County Inmate Search once set. The county's court page says the magistrate judge may grant bail, except where only another court can set it. The Magistrate Court at 478-862-3357 can explain who sets it.
How many days until a Taylor County judge hears it?
O.C.G.A. 17-4-26 gives the court 72 hours after an arrest to hold a first hearing. Taylor's Probate and Magistrate Court, under Judge, answers at 478-862-3357.
Ask that office for the date if you cannot reach the jail.
Why might a judge refuse bond?
A few offenses can be bailed only by a superior court judge, and Georgia's 2024 law widened the list of bail-restricted charges (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1). Probation or parole holds and warrants from other counties also block release.
If a magistrate cannot act, a lawyer can ask the superior court for a bond hearing.
Where do I find the courthouse and the clerk?
The Taylor County Courthouse is at 2 North Broad Street, Butler, GA 31006. Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at 478-862-5594.
The county's general office at 7 Ivy Street answers at 478-862-3336.
Does Butler have its own police lockup?
No city police lockup is listed for Taylor County. If a Butler officer made the arrest, ask the officer or the jail where the person was taken.
The report number helps the jail desk find the booking.
Who represents someone who cannot pay in Butler?
Yes. Taylor County is served by the Chattahoochee Circuit public defender, 420 10th Street, Suite 001, Columbus, GA 31901, 706-653-4301. Ask the court to assign that office when you first appear.
Where does a juvenile go if arrested?
The Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center, 7700 Chattsworth Road, Midland, GA 31820, 706-565-4374, lists Taylor County among those it serves.
A child's court records stay private, so a name may not appear on public sites. For the court that has the case, call the clerk at 478-862-5594.
What if he fails to appear?
The court may forfeit the bond and issue a warrant. Contact the clerk at 478-862-5594 and a lawyer without delay.
Will the money be returned?
Cash bonds come back when the case ends, less fines and costs. Money left unclaimed passes to the county after two years and 90 days (O.C.G.A. 17-6-4).
The bondsman statute has no refund rule, so ask what your contract says about the fee.
What does a fake bond call sound like?
Hang up on anyone who wants gift cards or a money app. Confirm the amount by calling 478-862-5444 yourself.
What happens with a federal arrest?
Federal cases from Taylor County belong to the Middle District of Georgia, Columbus Division. The courthouse is 120 12th Street, Columbus, GA 31902, and the clerk answers at (706) 649-7816. A federal magistrate judge holds the first hearing and sets any release terms. The U.S. Marshals Service keeps custody before trial, so the person may sit in a local jail that rents beds to the Marshals. After sentencing, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Key contacts for Taylor County bond questions
- Jail
- Taylor County Jail, behind the Sheriff's Office, 5 North Ivy Street, Butler, GA 31006; 478-862-5444
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond guide
- Custody lookup
- Taylor County Inmate Search
- Sheriff
- Sheriff's Office; main 478-862-3336; dispatch 478-862-5451
- Clerk of Superior Court
- 2 North Broad Street, Butler, GA 31006; 478-862-5594
- Probate and Magistrate
- Judge; 478-862-3357
- County offices
- 7 Ivy Street, Butler, GA 31006; 478-862-3336
- Public defender
- Chattahoochee Circuit, 420 10th Street, Suite 001, Columbus, GA 31901; 706-653-4301
- Youth detention
- Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center, 7700 Chattsworth Road, Midland, GA 31820; 706-565-4374
Fees, hours and phone lines can change without notice, and a judge may order a different bond. Double-check with the jail or clerk. It is an overview, and your lawyer should guide your choices.
How do Bail Bonds work at Taylor County Jail
The Taylor County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Taylor County.
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
- You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Taylor County, or in some cases the state of Georgia, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Taylor County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Georgia is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less. So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Taylor County Jail, or the courthouse in Taylor County where the offense took place.
Call 478-862-5444 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Taylor County inmate locator.
Taylor County Jail
Address:
103 Ivy Street
Butler, GA 31006
Phone:
478-862-5444
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Taylor County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Taylor County?
Who can set bail in Taylor County?
When is bail set in Taylor County Georgia?
Does Taylor County have bail?
Yes, Taylor County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Taylor County?
Georgia offers several types of pre-trial release including own recognizance, cash bond, property bond & surety. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Taylor County?
In many cases Georgia follows a pre-set bail schedule, so sheriffs & constables are able to accept bail immediately after processing. For those offense where immediate release in not permitted, or when a defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail will be determined by a judge.
When is bail set in Taylor County Georgia?
Georgia uses a pre-set bail schedule, meaning the bail is set based on the offense and thus us know to police at the time of arrest. In cases where bail is not pre-set, or the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, a judge of the superior court will determine bail at a bail hearing. This hearing shall be scheduled with 48 – 72 hours depending on the classification of the crime the defendant is accused.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Taylor County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Taylor County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens before arraignment. A Bond hearing is a determination by a magistrate to determine an amount a person may pay to be released while the case is pending. Sometimes certain crimes will have preset bonds, that can become payable the moment an arrest is made.
The minimum bond in Georgia is $1,000. If a court seeks a bond lower than that then it must be an OR bond, meaning the accused shall be released on their own recognizance, with no money down. During bond proceedings, the defendant is not required to have an attorney but has the right to an attorney if the defendant want one.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Taylor County Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.
The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.
Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Taylor County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
What are the different types of bonds in Taylor County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid.
Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid.
Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment.
This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over.
The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Taylor County have bail?
Yes, Taylor County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Taylor County?
Georgia offers several types of pre-trial release including own recognizance, cash bond, property bond & surety. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Taylor County?
In many cases Georgia follows a pre-set bail schedule, so sheriffs & constables are able to accept bail immediately after processing. For those offense where immediate release in not permitted, or when a defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail will be determined by a judge.
When is bail set in Georgia?
Georgia uses a pre-set bail schedule, meaning the bail is set based on the offense and thus us know to police at the time of arrest. In cases where bail is not pre-set, or the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, a judge of the superior court will determine bail at a bail hearing. This hearing shall be scheduled with 48 – 72 hours depending on the classification of the crime the defendant is accused.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Taylor County Georgia?
Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances and the judge set the initial bail, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Taylor County Georgia, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Georgia could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Taylor County Georgia?
Yes, Georgia does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Taylor County Jail for more information about the jails in Taylor County.
What options are there to pay bail in Taylor County Georgia?
Cash or security; credit card in some counties. The security may be either cash or property. Bail may be posted at the appropriate county jail or sheriff’s office in which the defendant is charged.
Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Taylor County Jail for more information about posting bail in Taylor County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Georgia?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished.
There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount. If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Taylor County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Georgia?
The Taylor County Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.